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31 August 2006

OFL on being a librarian

It's been awhile since I've seen Our Favorite Librarian (OFL), and so I was delighted when she wandered over to the stacks desk to discharge my book today. When she did, though, she was a little confused about who was already being helped (me or the other woman standing in front of the other computer terminal at the stacks desk), and this slight confusion produced today's topic of conversation.

But first OFL gave me her sly look. It's hard to describe, really, but her eyes widen a little, and her head moves slightly to one side, and she gives a little closed mouth half smile, and I know it's coming: OFL is going to let me in on a little secret. Then she said, "I always tell people that being a librarian is like having twins." Just like that. She stopped her utterance as if what she meant is obvious.

Not having had twins before, and thinking that this may be good OFL on blogos material, I pressed a little. In response, her arms started flailing, her head swiveling (think the robot dance circa 1980s) and she explained to me that a librarian has to keep track of who got left where and in what process because transactions are always getting interrupted--it's the definition of library work apparently--and so the resumption of an in-progress activity becomes key. I helpfully added that we patrons also all look alike, and she agreed, launching into a tale about how people expect her to remember them when they see her at the mall.

When I left, I wanted to say "bye mom!" but I got interrupted, because another librarian was approaching me to search my bag.

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OFL on being a librarian

It's been awhile since I've seen Our Favorite Librarian (OFL), and so I was delighted when she wandered over to the stacks desk to discharge my book today. When she did, though, she was a little confused about who was already being helped (me or the other woman standing in front of the other computer terminal at the stacks desk), and this slight confusion produced today's topic of conversation.

But first OFL gave me her sly look. It's hard to describe, really, but her eyes widen a little, and her head moves slightly to one side, and she gives a little closed mouth half smile, and I know it's coming: OFL is going to let me in on a little secret. Then she said, "I always tell people that being a librarian is like having twins." Just like that. She stopped her utterance as if what she meant is obvious.

Not having had twins before, and thinking that this may be good OFL on blogos material, I pressed a little. In response, her arms started flailing, her head swiveling (think the robot dance circa 1980s) and she explained to me that a librarian has to keep track of who got left where and in what process because transactions are always getting interrupted--it's the definition of library work apparently--and so the resumption of an in-progress activity becomes key. I helpfully added that we patrons also all look alike, and she agreed, launching into a tale about how people expect her to remember them when they see her at the mall.

When I left, I wanted to say "bye mom!" but I got interrupted, because another librarian was approaching me to search my bag.